By BONIFACE AKARAH

Former Kano State governor and political leader, Rabiu Musa Kwankwaso, has condemned comments attributed to Sheikh Sani Yahaya Jingir, warning political and religious leaders against statements capable of deepening religious and ethnic divisions ahead of the 2027 general elections.

Kwankwaso, in a statement, said he was “deeply concerned” by remarks made by Jingir at an event in Kano during the weekend, describing them as divisive and inappropriate at a critical point in Nigeria's history.

“At this critical moment in our nation’s history, statements that promote division and disunity must be firmly discouraged,” Kwankwaso said.

He said the remarks were particularly troubling because they came from a religious leader with Jingir's stature and influence.

“It is particularly troubling to hear such rhetoric from a religious leader of Sheikh Jingir’s stature and influence,” he stated.

Kwankwaso further insisted that the people of Kano should not be identified with comments he considered divisive, saying the state's residents did not endorse or support them.

“Let it be clearly stated: the good people of Kano do not endorse or support these divisive remarks,” he said.

He called on political and religious leaders to recognise their responsibility to promote national cohesion rather than make statements capable of weakening the country's unity.

“Political and religious leaders alike carry a solemn responsibility to uphold truth, foster unity, and advance reconciliation,” Kwankwaso said.

He warned that leaders should avoid lending their voices to utterances that could undermine Nigeria's nationhood, particularly as the country approaches another general election.

Turning to the 2027 elections, Kwankwaso said Nigerians would have the opportunity to assess the performance of the present administration through their votes.

“The 2027 general elections will be an opportunity for Nigerians to reward good governance with resounding support and to reject poor performance at the polls,” he stated.

Kwankwaso concluded his message by declaring that, in his assessment, the present administration had earned rejection at the ballot box.

“This administration has earned the latter,” he said.

His comments come amid growing political activity ahead of the 2027 general elections, with questions of religion, ethnicity, national unity and governance expected to remain central to political discourse.